SHAUN BARKER PENS A NEW DEAL

DEFENDER Shaun Barker has signed a six-month deal with Burton Albion Football Club.

After being sidelined for more than four years with injury, Barker signed for the Brewers last August and made his debut as an injury-time substitute against his former club Derby County.

He then signed a contract extension until the end of the season and played a key part to Burton Albion’s Championship survival. His new contract will see him stay at the Pirelli Stadium until January 2018.

Shaun Barker said: “I’m delighted to be involved for another six months. It will be the same as last year really in terms of the Gaffer will want me around and to be available for games and then we’ll see how I get on in the next six months to see if I can progress a little bit longer. To be part of this club and to be a very small part of the survival last season is a huge thing and I was glad to be part of it.”

“I spoke to the Gaffer during the season and I said if I’m not called upon in the second half of the season I’ll be delighted even though I wouldn’t personally get on the pitch, and being on the pitch is the best thing for a player especially for someone who has been out for so long like myself, but if I wasn’t involved in the squad and coming off the bench then we know that everybody else is doing well and there’s a fully-fit squad.”

“There’s no doubt that the Gaffer values that side of things (off the pitch) as much as anything else. We see with the kind of players and characters he brings to the club, not only Burton but the other clubs he’s been at. He always brings in good lads who work their socks off and that are good off the pitch as well. I have known the Gaffer for years now and he values my input and influence around the dressing room.”